Communication and Media Studies at Onondaga Community College

With a small sample size limiting reliability, Onondaga Community College's Communication and Media Studies associate's shows first-year earnings of $29,915—outpacing both New York's median for this program ($26,780) and the national median ($27,123). The debt load of $11,833 produces a manageable 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe roughly five months of their first-year salary. Among New York's 22 community colleges offering this program, Onondaga sits comfortably in the middle of the pack, trailing only Nassau Community College in the comparison set.

The real question is what happens after that first year. Communication associate's degrees often serve as stepping stones—either into the workforce for entry-level positions or as transfer credits toward a bachelor's. The initial earnings here won't support an independent lifestyle in Syracuse, but they're competitive for community college graduates in this field. For students planning to transfer, this provides an affordable foundation. For those entering the workforce directly, these numbers represent starter wages that typically need supplementation through continued education or skill development.

For parents, this works as a low-risk exploration: manageable debt, earnings that beat state and national peers, and flexibility to pivot. Just remember that the small sample makes these figures less stable than programs with larger graduating classes.